Can lipomas disappear?

Written by Tang Da Wei
General Surgery
Updated on April 18, 2025
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Lipomas generally do not disappear on their own. They form due to abnormal or excessive growth in the subcutaneous fat, presenting as localized lumps with an outer membrane encapsulating them. Lipomas are typically soft with high mobility and well-defined borders. Small lipomas usually do not require surgical treatment; close monitoring to check for changes in size is sufficient. However, if a lipoma is large, causes local compression symptoms, or pain, surgical removal may be considered.

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Will the removal of a lipoma leave a scar?

The removal of a lipoma generally does not significantly affect wound recovery, as the incision for a lipoma is a clean cut with no infection or contamination. However, some patients may develop significant scarring not due to infection but due to their scar-prone nature. Over time, the scarring from such cuts does not decrease in these patients, and corrective cosmetic surgery might be necessary to address the prominent scars. Therefore, it is important to consult with patients before lipoma surgery to determine if they are prone to scarring. If not, normal lipoma removal does not usually leave noticeable scars.

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Symptoms of lipoma

Lipomas are common in clinical settings and often occur on the limbs and trunk. Lipomas are benign tumors, and their clinical manifestations are primarily subcutaneous, presenting as a flat, irregular, or lobulated mass. The surface of these masses does not show redness or rupture, and they can generally be moved. Lipomas have a firm or soft texture. These are the most typical clinical manifestations of lipomas. Some patients may experience localized discomfort, and surgery can be performed to remove the lipoma after it has developed.

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Is a lipoma okay?

Lipomas are a type of tumor on the surface of the body and are benign. Patients generally do not exhibit significant clinical symptoms but might feel occasional, localized pain. Lipomas can gradually grow larger, and although rare, there is a possibility of malignancy if a lipoma persists over a long period. If a patient experiences pain or the lipoma is relatively large, it is recommended to undergo surgical treatment. Clinically, lipomas can be removed under local anesthesia, which is a minor and safe procedure, effectively curing the lipoma.

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The difference between lipoma and liposarcoma

Lipomas and liposarcomas are both relatively common diseases in clinical practice. Lipoma is a benign tumor, which refers to the nodular lesions formed by subcutaneous fat hyperplasia. The tumor has clear boundaries, a complete capsule, a soft texture, and grows slowly. Clinically, it can be treated by surgical removal, requiring only local excision. Liposarcoma is a malignant tumor of fat, originating from the interlobular fat tissue. The tumor lacks a capsule, has unclear boundaries, a harder texture, and grows rapidly. Clinically, after diagnosing liposarcoma, surgery must be performed. The scope of the surgery is relatively large, requiring the removal of the lesion and the surrounding tissues to achieve a radical cure.

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What is lipoma surgery?

The necessity of surgery for lipomas depends on their location. Lipomas are commonly found on the limbs. Whether surgery is needed depends on the size, location, and impact of the lipoma on the body. Surgery is generally recommended for lipomas that are particularly large or symptomatic. The surgical procedure involves excision followed by a pathological examination, as there is still a possibility that some lipomas could be liposarcomas, especially when located on the limbs, where such cases are more common. Therefore, for lipomas with significant symptoms and prominent manifestation, surgical removal is usually advised.